How can I paint paneling

Use milk paint .

cleanse a primer ,allow to dry and paint

Clean real well. The prep is most important. Next step is the primer, then you paint! Sounds easy but is isn’t. Very time consuming but you will love the outcome. Oh yes, you might need to lightly sand between coats. some paints require it.

I would clean really good, then prime, then paint.

You can first use a primer-Kilz is a good one and then just paint over it. It will look nice if you also paint the groove lines.

Prepping and cleaning is important before starting. Then decide if you want a gloss or satin or flat. Satin is a good choice as it does not draw attention to imperfections like a gloss does. Flat will have no light reflection and could make walls look very dull. Tape you ceilings, door and window frames and put down painters clothes to protect your floor. If you paneling has grooves you may have to hand paint/cut in the ceiling and frames with a brush, and the paneling grooves, but over all painting the walls can be done with a roller.

I did too! I first used a good primer, water based. I got mine at Benjamin Moore, called AquaGrip. Sherwin-Williams has one too. After it dried I used a good quality paint and voila! I even did my kitchen cabinets. If you want you can use spackle and fill your lines and then use a spray can of orange-peel texture after you prime and then your walls all look like sheetrock

Use a primer and then a color top coat or buy a paint with primer already in it. The primer will not only adhere if the paneling has a layer of varnish on it, but will help smooth any rough spots. You should have a nice finished layer.

I did it in my Kitchen when I painted the cabinets, everyone loved it and forgot I ever had paneling.